Los Gigantes: Sailing Excursion with Swimming, Drink & Tapas

Pilot whales and dolphins are the headline act here, but the real pleasure is the small-boat setting. You sail from Puerto de Los Gigantes aboard the Sangría, cruise beneath towering red cliffs, and stop for a swim and snorkel in clear water. I like the maximum of 10 passengers and the quiet, no-music atmosphere. I also like that tapas and drinks are part of the outing, not an afterthought.

The main thing to consider is time. Three hours passes quickly, and one outing may spend more time sailing than watching animals or visiting coves. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the snorkeling gear may be basic, so bring your expectations, and possibly your own mask.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum 10 passengers: You get more room and a calmer feel than on a large excursion boat.
• Whales and dolphins near Los Gigantes: Pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, other dolphins, flying fish, turtles, and tuna have all been seen on outings.
• Swim beneath the red cliffs: The final swim and snorkel stop can be the most memorable part of the trip.
• Tapas with drinks included: Expect a snack spread, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks after time in the water.
• Quiet sailing style: No onboard music is part of the appeal for anyone who wants to hear the ocean.
• Three languages available: The live guide service is offered in Spanish, English, and French.

Setting out from Puerto de Los Gigantes

You meet the boat at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1. The departure point puts you right beside the cliffs that give this corner of Tenerife its name, so the scenery begins before the boat leaves the harbor.

The excursion uses the Sangría, a sailing boat limited to 10 passengers. That number matters. You are not packed shoulder to shoulder with a large crowd, and you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place on deck when the boat is moving or stopped.

The crew has included Luis and Moises, names that come up often in connection with this trip. They are described as friendly, attentive, and able to explain the marine life and coastline in several languages. Spanish, English, and French are available, though the balance can depend on who is aboard. If you need every explanation in English, confirm that when booking.

The mood is relaxed rather than loud. One particularly appealing detail is the lack of music on board, leaving you with the sound of the water and the wind. That will suit you if you want a peaceful afternoon at sea. If you expect a party boat with a soundtrack, this is not that kind of outing.

Sailing below the Los Gigantes cliffs

The first scenic stretch follows the coast, with the red and brown cliffs rising sharply from the sea. From the water, the rock walls feel even more dramatic than they do from shore. You see the scale of Los Gigantes from a low, open viewpoint, with the cliffs forming a strong backdrop to the bays and coves.

The boat moves through calm stretches of water and along natural inlets. The exact route can change, and not every departure reaches a cave or every bay described in the general plan. One outing did not include bays or caves, so keep the wording flexible in your mind. The coast itself remains the main attraction.

I like this part because it gives you time to settle into the boat before the swimming stop. You can watch the shoreline change, take photographs, and listen for updates from the skipper. The crew also keeps an eye out for marine life, so the sailing is not simply a transfer to the swimming area.

The drawback is that three hours has to cover several activities. If the boat spends time searching for whales and dolphins, the scenic sailing and swimming portions may feel shorter. One person felt there was slightly too much sailing and not enough time watching animals. That is a fair concern, especially if wildlife is your main reason for booking.

Searching for pilot whales and dolphins

The boat heads farther from shore to look for marine life. The waters off Tenerife support pilot whales and several dolphin species, and sightings on this outing have included pilot whales with young, bottlenose dolphins, other dolphins, flying fish, tuna, and even a turtle.

Pilot whales have been seen close to the boat, while dolphins have sometimes swum alongside it. Those moments can be remarkable, but wildlife follows its own schedule. You should treat the search as part of the experience rather than expecting a guaranteed show.

The crew’s role is important here. Luis, Moises, and other skippers associated with the excursion have been praised for explaining what you are seeing and for keeping the mood calm. The boat also has a whale-watching license, an important detail that is not always obvious from a short tour description.

Tenerife regulates the number of boats in some whale-watching areas. That helps prevent the scene from turning into a traffic jam of vessels and gives the animals more space. It also means the skipper must follow rules about how boats approach and remain near marine life. You may not linger as long as you wish, but responsible viewing is worth more than a close encounter created at the animals’ expense.

Bring binocular expectations, not promises. Some departures have seen whales early, while others have needed more searching. The time of year does not remove the uncertainty. Sightings have been reported from winter through autumn, but no schedule can guarantee what appears beside the boat on your particular day.

The offshore snorkeling stop

After the wildlife search and coastal sailing, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. The location is described as a quiet bay or an offshore area near the cliffs, with clear water and views back toward Los Gigantes.

This is not a formal snorkeling lesson. You receive snorkeling equipment, and life vests are available, but you are responsible for being comfortable in the water. The advertised marine life includes sea turtles, manta rays, and octopuses. Other sightings have included parrot fish and a turtle, though you should not count on seeing any particular animal.

For many people, the swim is the emotional high point of the trip. The contrast is excellent: first you are watching whales in open water, then you are floating near the cliffs with the boat waiting nearby. The red rock above and clear water below create a memorable setting without needing a packed schedule of shore stops.

The equipment may be the weak link. One person found the provided snorkeling gear less than ideal and suggested bringing a personal mask if you have one. That is useful advice, particularly if you care about a clear fit or plan to spend much of the stop looking underwater.

Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You also need a passport or identification card. Fishing, feeding animals, touching marine life, smoking in the vehicle, speakers, weapons, sharp objects, and other hazardous or disruptive items are not allowed. Those rules protect both the people on board and the sea life you have come to see.

Tapas and drinks beneath the cliffs

After the water stop, the boat serves tapas on deck. The food has been described as a snack board with vegetables and other small bites rather than a full restaurant meal. It is enough to feel welcome after swimming, but I would not book this as a substitute for lunch if you need a substantial meal.

Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included. Cava has been served on some outings, and the drink selection has generally been plentiful. If you prefer nonalcoholic drinks, the range may be narrower than you expect. Regular sparkling water and apple juice were specifically wished for, so tell the provider about dietary or drink needs before departure.

Vegetarian and vegan food options are available if you notify Blue Dream Sailing ahead of time. That is worth doing early, since the boat has limited space and a small food service setup.

The setting adds much of the value. Eating on deck beneath Los Gigantes, with the sea around you, feels far more special than stopping at a standard café. You are still on the water, the cliffs remain close, and the meal arrives when you are ready to sit down after the swim.

The crew has also helped with personal occasions, including a birthday cake and candles on one departure. I would not assume this is included, but it is worth asking in advance if you are marking a celebration.

What the $82 price gets you

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the coast, but the price covers several separate elements: the three-hour boat ride, the Los Gigantes cliffs, marine-life searching, swimming, snorkeling gear, a skipper and guide, tapas, and alcoholic or soft drinks.

The small group is the strongest value point. A maximum of 10 passengers gives the trip a more personal feel and avoids the packed-deck problem common on large sightseeing boats. You are also paying for a sailing experience rather than only a whale-watching transfer.

I would call the price fair if you value peace, space, and a mix of activities. It is less compelling if your only goal is to spend a long time watching whales. Three hours is enough for a satisfying introduction, but not enough to guarantee extended wildlife viewing, a long swim, several coves, and a leisurely meal all at once.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 471 reviews, with repeated praise for the crew, scenery, uncrowded boat, food, and wildlife sightings. That pattern tells you where the money goes: service and atmosphere matter as much as the route.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this for couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a quiet boat over a large party vessel. It also suits people who want several experiences in one booking: cliff views, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and food.

Families can bring young children or babies, including children who join free, but you must add them to the reservation so the operator can reserve their places. A maximum of four children is allowed per tour. Because the excursion includes time in open water, you should be realistic about your child’s comfort and swimming ability.

This is a good choice for a special afternoon. The crew has handled birthdays, and the relaxed pace works well for a couple or small family group. It is also useful if you want a more personal alternative to the large catamarans operating from Tenerife’s resort areas.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, cannot swim comfortably, or need a guaranteed animal sighting. I would also reconsider if you want a full meal, a long snorkeling session, or a full-day coastal tour. The excursion gives you a taste of each, not an extended version of any one activity.

Timing, languages, and practical planning

The tour lasts three hours, with starting times dependent on availability. A midday or early afternoon departure can give you bright cliff views and a warm swim, but sea conditions and animal movements matter more than the clock.

The meeting point is at Dock 1 in Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes. Pickup is not generally offered from northern Tenerife, so you may need to arrange your own transport to Los Gigantes. One past departure included a transfer to Costa Adeje, but you should not assume that service is standard. Ask before booking if pickup matters to you.

The guide service is available in Spanish, English, and French. On multilingual departures, not every piece of commentary may be translated in full. One English-speaking participant found that only the key instructions were translated from French, with some extra facts left out. If marine-life information is important to you, mention your preferred language when you reserve.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. These options help if your Tenerife plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the exact meeting time and current availability.

Should you book the Los Gigantes sailing excursion?

I would book it if you want an uncrowded three-hour outing that combines whale and dolphin watching with a swim beneath Tenerife’s most dramatic cliffs. The friendly crew, quiet boat, included tapas, and small passenger limit give it a personal feel that large operators cannot easily match.

Go in with sensible expectations. Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised. The route may include less time in bays than you hope, the snorkeling gear may be basic, and three hours can feel short. Bring your own mask if you have one, notify the crew about vegetarian or vegan food, and confirm the language and pickup details.

For a calm afternoon on the water with a strong chance of seeing marine life, this is a good value at $82. Choose another excursion only if you need a longer wildlife search, a fuller meal, or a more structured snorkeling program.

FAQ

Where does the Los Gigantes sailing excursion depart?

You meet the boat at Muelle Deportivo La Marina Los Gigantes, Dock 1, in Los Gigantes.

How long does the excursion last?

The sailing trip lasts three hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat can carry a maximum of 10 passengers, creating a small-group experience.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for marine life, and sightings have included pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, other dolphins, turtles, flying fish, tuna, and manta rays, but animals cannot be guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with stops for swimming and snorkeling. You need to bring your own swimwear and towel.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Tapas and an alcoholic or soft drink are included. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you notify the provider in advance.